Thursday, July 31, 2014

Where – Amenities Room,
Embassy of Australia,
1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20036
Charge - $15.00, including buffet lunch and sodas.
Alcoholic beverages - $2.00 each.
Attire: Business casual
RSVP by noon on Wednesday August 13, to David Ward at 202-352-8550 or via e-mail to dmward1973 at gmail dot com.
NOTE: Valid photo ID required.
Parking: While there is no parking at the Embassy, paid off street parking is available behind and under the Airline Pilots Association- 17th and Massachusetts, and at 15th and Mass (1240 15th street).
On street two hour metered parking is also available.

Guest speaker: Alan Rems, author of South Pacific Cauldron

Born
in Jersey City on April 30, 1937, Alan Rems grew up during World War
II, developing a strong life-long interest through study in all
aspects of the war. Twelve years into retirement from his work as a
CPA, Alan put his knowledge and passion to use when he learned about
the mysterious death of a leading Marine general in the South Pacific
in 1943. Solving that mystery through research in the Marine Corps
archives, Alan, in his first writing effort, presented his
discoveries in Naval History magazine. Selected 2008 Author of
the Year by the U.S. Naval Institute for that article, he has since
then contributed seven articles and two book reviews to Naval
History.

From the research for his first article, Alan developed
special interest in the war in the South Pacific. He became aware of
the short shrift given in nearly all American histories to the
critical contribution by Australian forces and to the heavy fighting
that continued in that war zone after the front moved westward toward
Japan. Often, he came upon complaints by those who served there that
so little was known about their wartime contributions.

Alan saw the basic problem as stemming from the
tendency of historians to concentrate on specific segments of the
South Pacific war rather than dealing with the theater as a whole. As
the need for a comprehensive, one-volume narrative history of World
War II in the South Pacific became apparent, he welcomed the
opportunity to take on that challenge. His objective was to write a
definitive narrative history that could be equally appreciated by
military specialists and buffs, veterans and their families, and
serious general readers.

The resultant work, titled South Pacific Cauldron,
published May 2014 by the Naval Institute Press, has been called
authoritative, yet written in a highly readable narrative style. In
endorsing the book, leading historian Stephen R. Taaffe, author of
Marshall and his Generals, called it “a first rate account”
and recommended it for “military history buffs.” Also, noted
naval historian Paul Stillwell has called the book a “well-researched
history of a major theater of World War II.”

With publication of his first book at age 77, Alan’s
late in life writing success is inspiring, a reminder that in life
it’s not over till it’s over. Alan lives in Centreville, Virginia
with his wife Janet, a retired newspaper managing editor and
freelance journalist.

About Us

The RSL is a group of Australian and American veterans and their friends who meet monthly at the Australian Embassy in Washington, DC. Any questions please feel free to contact us at info (at) rsl-dc (dot) com